Massive sinkhole in San Francisco opens up in the middle of busy intersection after 74 year old pipe bursts

A massive sinkhole has emerged in the middle of a busy intersection in the middle of an affluent San Francisco neighborhood, causing chaos for local residents and businesses alike.

The intersection of Fillmore and Green Streets, a six-minute drive from the Golden Gate Bridge, collapsed Monday morning after a large nearby water main broke the night before, leaving a deep crater estimated to be about 20 feet wide and at least 7 feet deep used to be. .

A second, smaller crater was also seen at the intersection when city maintenance crews were spotted

Videos from the scene show sewage and water flowing from the main and into homes and businesses in the area.

No injuries have been reported and city officials are currently investigating the cause of the water main break.

The 16-inch water main, made of cast iron and installed in 1949 near the intersection of Fillmore and Union Streets, just a block from the sinkhole, also broke an 8-inch pipe, according to the city’s Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC).

The sinkhole appeared overnight in the upscale neighborhood at the intersection of Fillmore and Green Street

The sinkhole appeared Monday after a large one-block burst on Sunday

The sinkhole appeared Monday night after a nearby water main burst the night before

San Francisco’s aging infrastructure has caused many concerns among the city’s residents

Locals said that while their lives have been temporarily disrupted, they are more concerned that the burst main is a sign that the city’s infrastructure is aging undignified.

Meanwhile, the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management has issued a warning for residents to avoid the area.

Locals said that while their lives have been temporarily disrupted, they are more concerned that the burst main is a sign that the city’s infrastructure is aging unkindly.

“It feels like the town is getting pretty old,” said local resident Maddie Standlee ABC7.

“I’m in shock, we live down the street and didn’t even know this was going on,” said Clara Bltabsky, also a local resident.

Resident Amanda Scott said she was on Lombard Street around midnight when she noticed sewage and mud flooding her street.

“The entire street that ended up on Steiner and Fillmore was basically a river. “I don’t say a river in terms of a gentle flow – I mean a river,” she said.

“I just took off my shoes, rolled up my pants and started digging through the sewers and cleaning up all the rubble and trying to put it all on higher ground, honestly, if anything,” Scott said, recalling adding that she helped clean up seven drains.

One business owner said water entering through both the front and back doors of his restaurant likely caused thousands of dollars in damage.

‘It’s total chaos. The floor is caked and there is a layer of water underneath,” said Kingston Wu, managing partner of Wilder.

Residents have said their lives have been greatly disrupted by the sinkhole

One business owner said his restaurant suffered thousands of dollars in damage after dirty water flowed into the front and back doors of his establishment.

San Francisco’s Public Utility Commission, the agency responsible for maintaining and improving infrastructure, admitted that the city’s pipes are not in good condition.

‘San Francisco has pipes that are over a hundred years old. Some of them are made of brick. This one was made of cast iron,” said Joseph Sweiss of the SFPUC.

The SFPUC also advised residents what to do if their water was milky or cloudy.

“If you notice that your water is milky, cloudy and/or white, this may indicate the presence of air bubbles in the water,” the committee said.

‘To determine if this is due to air in the water, fill a clear glass with water and let it sit for a few minutes. The air bubbles should rise to the top and the cloudiness will disappear if there is simply air in the water.

‘All water contains dissolved oxygen; However, changes in water temperature and pressure result in oversaturation or bubble formation.

‘Check for persistent discoloration by turning on the cold water tap nearest the water meter and letting it run for 3 to 5 minutes to see if it clears.’